[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1060-E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARK CHARLES CADY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Mark Charles 
Cady.
  Born to Lealond H. Cady, Jr. and Jacqueline C. Cady on December 11, 
1964 in Jacksonville, Florida, Mark is the youngest of three. Mark had 
a typical Florida childhood. He played cars and trucks, cops and 
robbers, swam in local lakes, ran around with dirt on his face, and 
played in the rain.
  At an early age, Mark started to consider the plight of the less 
fortunate. While his family was by no means wealthy, his faith and 
upbringing inspired him to do what was in his capacity to help others. 
Running on a platform of ``Let's help each other,'' he was elected 
student council president at his high school in 1981.
  Immediately after high school, Mark entered the United States Navy 
and began 12 years of service as a Religious Programs Specialist. While 
stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Mark coordinated programs to provide food 
and services to the host Japanese nationals in conjunction with various 
non-profit organizations. As an accomplished performer, he also 
performed more than 20 concerts for military members, their families, 
and the host nationals. His outstanding career in the Navy earned him a 
Navy Achievement Medal from the Secretary of the Navy and various other 
awards, commendations, and newspaper and magazine articles highlighting 
his accomplishments. As a gay man, Mark chose to leave the Navy in 
protest of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' in 1994. He earned an Honorable 
Discharge.
  Over the years, Mark's career led him into advertising and marketing, 
but he always maintained his desire to help others and strengthen his 
Christian faith. In his late 20's, he was ordained a Deacon at Joy 
Metropolitan Community Church, Orlando. He began serving with various 
community organizations and continued his career as a singer and 
entertainer.
  At age 34, Mark's father died. He withdrew from community service and 
began a downward spiral that led him into drug addiction. At age 44, he 
entered drug rehabilitation with the VA Medical System and got his life 
back on track.
  Since his recovery, he has given back to the community that has 
provided him with so

[[Page E1061]]

much support. He has served as Vice President and President of the 
Board of Directors for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual (GLBCC) Community 
Center, Marketing Chair of the GLBCC Community Center, Secretary of the 
Board of Directors of Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, Philanthropic 
Chair of Aspire Health Partners, Marketing Chair of Come Out With 
Pride, Chair of the Metropolitan Business Association's Referral 
Exchange Development Group, and Founder of Out & Proud Veterans of 
America. He also coordinated the donations for and oversaw the erection 
of the first LGBT Veterans Memorial in Florida located at the GLBCC and 
acts as a liaison for the Orlando VA Medical Center for LGBT Veterans 
and other LGBT service organizations.
  In October 2013, Mark was ordained into the Diaconate of the 
independent Catholic Church and in January 2015 he will be ordained 
into the Catholic priesthood. Mark is in a committed relationship with 
his partner Dr. Carlos Archilla.
  I am happy to honor Mark Charles Cady, during LGBT Pride Month, for 
his service to our country and to the Central Florida community.

                          ____________________